The Saintess's Test

Within this imperial garden, the carved beams and painted rafters of the palace gleamed with gold and jade. Lakes, springs, pavilions, terraces, halls, groves, corridors, bridges, and verandas gathered in one place, a landscape of exquisite, breathtaking beauty.

In one of the halls, Zhao Lin'er stood like a clear moon, clad in robes white as snow, her ethereal grace stirring the soul. A faint smile graced her lips as she gazed calmly at Xiao Chen.

Xiao Chen's face showed a hint of confusion. "Holy Maiden, what do you mean?"

Zhao Lin'er stepped forward with lotus-foot grace. Her floor-length white gown slid softly across the jade floor like a ribbon of snow. Her peerless features carried a light smile. "I am calling your true name. Do you truly not understand?"

"I don't follow. If I heard correctly, Holy Maiden just called me Xiao Chen? I have fought him before, seen his true face. Our appearances seem vastly different. Holy Maiden should not be mistaken. Could it be that Your Highness misses Xiao Chen? That we share some similar quality? Then I am deeply honored—to be remembered by the Holy Maiden of the Solar Religion makes me feel like a spring breeze, my heart floating high."

Xiao Chen was very calm, his tone laced with a teasing amusement. He would not easily admit his identity. Perhaps she was merely suspicious and testing him.

"Hmph."

Zhao Lin'er gave a light snort of displeasure. In the past, when she was the Royal Celestial Maiden of the mortal world, and now as the Holy Maiden of the Solar Religion in the World of Immortality, no one dared to tease her like this. But she did not lose her temper. Instead, she smiled enigmatically. "You are quite cautious. But you have already revealed many flaws. I think I am not the only one—from the moment you appeared as Xiao Shishui, many people have had their suspicions. Of course, I am not merely suspicious. I know for certain that you are Xiao Chen."

"Very well, Your Noble Holiness, please consider me Xiao Chen. I am more than happy to interact with someone who occupies such an important place in your heart. Oh, I should say, converse."

Using offense as defense, Xiao Chen's smile made Zhao Lin'er feel utterly infuriating. She raised a slender finger to smooth her glossy black hair, then suddenly turned around, her clear, sparkling eyes fixed unblinkingly on Xiao Chen. "Xiao Chen, do you dare speak to me like this? Are you not afraid you will be unable to leave this hall?"

Xiao Chen spread his hands. "If you insist on treating me as Xiao Chen, there is no help for it. If the Holy Maiden likes Xiao Chen so much that you want to keep me, I am happy to oblige." With that, he took two aggressive steps forward, standing less than a foot away from Zhao Lin'er, meeting her gaze directly.

He could smell a faint fragrance—the natural scent of a virgin maiden, not the vulgar perfume of cosmetics. Xiao Chen took a deep breath. "So fragrant."

"Aside from being cold-blooded and hateful, you are also so vulgar. Hmph." Zhao Lin'er gave a cold snort but did not retreat at all. Her eyes remained clear and bright.

"Holy Maiden, what are you talking about?" Xiao Chen pointed to a pot of crystalline-petaled orchids on a nearby flower stand. "Don't you think these orchids are refreshing? Such famous flowers carry an endless fragrance." As he spoke, he took another deep breath. "So fragrant!" No matter how he acted, it did not seem like he was smelling flowers.

Zhao Lin'er was finally forced to take two steps back. "Xiao Chen, there is no point in continuing this pretense. I have indeed recognized you. A person's nature and habits are not easily changed. And now that I am the Holy Maiden of the Solar Religion, my divine art is the Observation of Spirit. I can see your true essence. But since you are unwilling to admit it now, I will not press you. I will call you Xiao Shishui."

"As you wish." Xiao Chen wore an unconcerned expression, sat down beside an antique rosewood tea table, and picked up a teacup to drink.

"That is mine!" Zhao Lin'er glared at him.

"How was I to know it was yours? I thought you had brewed it for me in advance. When a guest arrives, are there no preparations? At least it wasn't something one of those knights had drunk." Xiao Chen set down the cup. "Please, Holy Maiden, why did you summon me?"

"Nothing more than to catch up on old times. We both come from the Mortal World. We should support each other."

Zhao Lin'er sat down on the other side of the rosewood table. Her snow-white dress pooled on the floor, tracing soft, misty curves. Her lithe, graceful form was ethereal and radiant.

Support each other? On Dragon Island, Xiao Chen had once said the same thing to her, only to nearly be killed by Zhao Lin'er. Although Lan Nuo's intervention had ended their hostility, hearing those words from Zhao Lin'er now still felt strange.

"I would love to support the Holy Maiden until we are old. Heh heh, but I wonder if the Solar Religion allows its Holy Maiden to marry?" Xiao Chen still maintained his casual, ambiguous tone, refusing to admit his identity.

Zhao Lin'er did not grow angry. Her arched brows lifted as she looked at him with provocative challenge. "Do you dare to marry me? Try it, if you are not afraid of being hunted by the Sun Knight Order. Try it, if you are not afraid of the Great Bishops executing you with a Destruction Judgment. Try it, if you are not afraid of the Pope's wrath reducing you to ashes!"

Her autumn-water eyes and jade-like bones made Zhao Lin'er a peerless beauty, but now she wore a slightly reckless expression, taunting Xiao Chen. "So, do you still dare to try?"

"Don't provoke me." With that, Xiao Chen stood and closed in on Zhao Lin'er, his nose less than a centimeter from hers. He said solemnly, "I am a dangerous man."

She could already feel his breath. Zhao Lin'er, however extraordinary she might be, was still a woman. She pushed Xiao Chen away. "Dangerous? I don't feel it. Before the Solar Religion, you are nothing more than a fragile infant. Heh heh…" She let out a light laugh, full of mockery. "When you can make the Pope take you seriously, then you can entertain such improper thoughts."

Xiao Chen sat back down, drinking tea in bored indifference, and said no more.

"I called you here mainly to catch up. I hope you will stop helping Yin Ying and instead come to my side. Although we had many unpleasant moments in the past, I have thought it through. That was all mortal-world enmity. Now that we are in the World of Immortality, let the past drift away with the wind. That is also what Sister Lan Nuo wishes to see."

"There is no point in you continuing to pretend. Anyone with sharp eyes would already suspect." Zhao Lin'er looked at him. "Fine, let me tell you something encouraging. The Solar Religion possesses a supreme treasure known as the 'Soaring Step'—a treasure that can pierce space and transform a million li into a single step. Even a Deathless Longevity expert would not dare to attempt the journey from the World of Immortality back to the Mortal World. But with this treasure, there is no danger. We can return to the Mortal World. This is the main reason I sought you out. We come from the same place. I believe we both share that same homesickness. Come help me, and together we will find that treasure."

Home… Return to his homeland!

This was the goal Xiao Chen fought for, the source of the relentless drive that forced him to cultivate. Suddenly hearing of such a shortcut, he could not suppress a flicker of excitement. His parents, and the girl from long ago—could he see them again?

He did not know how Zhao Lin'er had become the Solar Religion's Holy Maiden, but perhaps she had climbed to that position precisely for this purpose.

Although Xiao Chen hid it well, the slight change in his expression was caught by Zhao Lin'er. Her beautiful eyes instantly blazed with bright light, and she said indignantly, "So it really is you, you bastard! Sitting there smugly, pretending all this time!"

The peerless beauty ground her teeth in hatred. "Xiao Chen, Xiao Chen! Your life is truly tenacious. Not only did you not die three years ago, but your cultivation has advanced to such a level!"

Xiao Chen suddenly understood and cursed himself silently. Damn it! That woman had tricked him. She had been testing him all along. Truly deep and patient.

"Zhao little miss… You dared to deceive me?!" Xiao Chen was thoroughly indignant.

Zhao Lin'er was equally furious, taunting him. "What of it? Do you want to bite me? I tricked you, so what can you do? You hateful bastard! If it weren't for you, how would I have wound up in this World of Immortality, far from my family and friends? Every day I think: if only I could catch you, I would step on you a few times every day to vent my anger."

"Zhao little miss!" Xiao Chen shot to his feet.

"You hateful bastard!" Zhao Lin'er also stood. She had been a princess, and now she was a holy maiden. The words 'little miss' had never been associated with her. Having been dragged into the World of Immortality by Xiao Chen, and now addressed like this, she wished she could stomp on his detestable face a few times.

The two glared at each other in fury.

Suddenly, Xiao Chen laughed, then sat back down easily. Zhao Lin'er likely did not want to fight him; otherwise, why would she dare meet him alone?

"Zhao little miss, you only tricked me here to confirm my identity?"

Seeing Xiao Chen suddenly relax, no longer angry, and wearing a completely indifferent expression, Zhao Lin'er ground her teeth. "So what if I did? I wanted to trick you here and catch you, then put you on the doorstep so I could step on you every time I come and go."

"You are quite ruthless." Xiao Chen smiled unpleasantly. "But that might be difficult. You dismissed everyone, so now you might find yourself in a bit of trouble."

Zhao Lin'er cast a disdainful glance at him. "The Solar Knights guard the outside. You couldn't fly out of here even if you grew wings. Do you dare to lay a hand on me? You'll get what you deserve."

"I am one who yields to pressure, not to force." With that, Xiao Chen stood and struck like lightning.

Zhao Lin'er's expression changed. She wanted to cry out but stopped herself. Her jade-like fingers flashed with rainbow light as she engaged Xiao Chen.

Both used compact, restrained techniques, their speed like flashing light shadows entwined. Their power was controlled to perfection, not damaging a single piece of furniture or tea set.

Although Zhao Lin'er was confident in her four years of cultivation, she knew that against Xiao Chen, there was still a gap.

Xiao Chen condensed the Fearless Lion Seal, the Immovable Wisdom King Seal, the Perfect Vase Seal, and others into his palms and fingers. Though no terrifying energy fluctuations surged forth, their power was not diminished.

After a short struggle, Zhao Lin'er was forced into a corner. Then, with a flash of light, a massive dragon-claw-shaped hand seized her and pulled her into an embrace. Xiao Chen wrapped his arm around her willowy waist.

"Let go!"

"No."

Zhao Lin'er tried to strike Xiao Chen, but a surge of divine energy from her waist numbed her entire body, making it impossible to counterattack.

"I told you to let go!"

"Why should I?"

Xiao Chen held Zhao Lin'er firmly, as if she were his exclusive trophy, showing no sign of releasing her.

This posture made Zhao Lin'er so ashamed and furious she wanted to bite his ear off.

"Do you dare to defile the Holy Maiden of the Solar Religion? The knights outside will tear you apart. I will call for them."

Hearing this, Xiao Chen not only showed no fear, but boldly sat down on a chair with her in his arms, their bodies pressed intimately together. Feeling her soft fragrance, he said carelessly, "Then call them in."

"You… I will kill you!" Zhao Lin'er tried to move away, to break free, but her whole body was limp and she could not budge.

Xiao Chen gently smoothed her disheveled hair, then blew softly on her ear. "Alright, if you want to kill me, have your knights come in. Attack me. Let them see how the pure and immaculate Holy Maiden looks in the embrace of a dangerous man."

"You…"

"Call them."

"You bastard." Zhao Lin'er was very angry—not at him, but at herself. Why had she tried to recruit this creature? Better to have just killed him.

Xiao Chen knew when to stop. If he pressed her any further with such rudeness, Zhao Lin'er might do something rash.

He believed Zhao Lin'er would not completely fall out with him; otherwise, she wouldn't have met him alone.

Zhao Lin'er shot to her feet, quickly straightening her clothes, and retreated to the door. Then she called out sharply, "Guards!"

In an instant, a dozen figures appeared in the hall, including two old men. Everyone knew that Xiao Shishui was powerful and terrifying; among the younger generation, apart from the strongest experts of each religion, none could take him down.

"Holy Maiden, what is wrong?"

The young knights were all hot-blooded, especially in front of such a breathtakingly beautiful Holy Maiden. They were eager to prove their worth.

Xiao Chen was already surrounded. The two old knights stood at the edge of the crowd, not moving. A dozen young knights in golden armor, wielding golden divine swords and spears, pointed their weapons directly at Xiao Chen.

Xiao Chen was not afraid. The only ones he needed to watch out for were the two old knights. He believed that if he unleashed the Eight Aspect Worlds, he could easily escape.

"Does the Holy Maiden want him captured or killed?"

The young knights were no strangers to Xiao Chen. They had seen him cleave the incarnation of the Supreme Buddha and, in the shortest possible time, slaughter Podel and his mount.

It would be a lie to say Zhao Lin'er was not angry. Her status determined her proud nature. Neither in the mortal world nor in the World of Immortality had anyone dared to be rude to her. But Xiao Chen had not only separated her from her parents, but also dared to treat her like this—it drove her mad.

Yet she was no longer the same person. Though she ground her teeth in hatred, she did not show it. Holding back her anger, she gently waved her hand. "You may withdraw."

The two old knights said nothing and left first. The dozen young knights exchanged puzzled glances, then bowed and withdrew. Of course, they did not forget to glare at Xiao Chen a few times—some threatening, some cautioning.

"Now I believe in your sincerity. I think you won't use your power against me for now." Xiao Chen sat down on his own, wearing a very sincere expression. "Let's talk about how we can cooperate."

The sudden shift was so fast that Zhao Lin'er was stunned for a moment. But she quickly understood: this bastard was only acting like this to keep her from getting violent. Truly hateful, deliberately changing the atmosphere.

Following Lan Nuo's advice, she truly did not want to kill Xiao Chen now, but that didn't mean she had no enmity. Especially after what had just happened.

The room fell into a brief silence. Zhao Lin'er was thinking.

So Xiao Shishui really was Xiao Chen. She was still digesting this news. This meant that the Xiao Chen of those days had undergone a qualitative transformation. He was no longer the weak cultivator who had once been hunted down on Dragon Island. Now he seemed to have stepped into the ranks of the world's strongest young experts—probably not far behind the top young talents of the major religions. His potential was immense. And, most importantly, he had that miraculous little beast that had once defeated the Supreme Buddha, a beast whose departure had been accompanied by the same celestial phenomena as Laozi and the Buddha. That was unimaginable! And now, that snow-white little beast was about to return!

The more she thought, the more shocked Zhao Lin'er became. The man before her was no longer the nobody he once was. Having cultivated the Eight Aspect Worlds and possessing that heaven-defying little beast, any major power that learned his true identity—except for the Tiger Clan of the Central Plains—would use every means to recruit him.

After a long silence, Zhao Lin'er decided to advance by retreating. "Let me stomp on you a few times, and everything between us in the past is wiped clean."

"Why should I? A hug would be more like it." Xiao Chen blurted out, then realized this might make her grind her teeth again.

"You country bumpkin!"

Xiao Chen laughed, too lazy to bicker. "Is what you said about that supreme treasure true?"

"Of course. The Soaring Step does exist. But it was lost long ago."

"That's as good as nothing!" Xiao Chen felt his hopes dashed.

"I know clues about it. That's why I sought you out."

"Where is it?"

Zhao Lin'er glanced at him. "We need to plan carefully. When I need your help, I will find you. I hope you will come and help me. Stop helping Yin Ying."

At that moment, footsteps sounded outside the hall. A young man's voice came: "I request an audience with the Holy Maiden."

Zhao Lin'er turned back and shot Xiao Chen a fierce glare. Then she called out, "Enter."

A handsome knight, his golden helmet held in his hand and a great golden sword on his back, strode in. "I heard the Holy Maiden was startled. I came especially to protect you."

"Thank you, Knight Yulie. There is nothing serious—it was just a misunderstanding." Zhao Lin'er was clearly quite polite to him; he was no ordinary person.

"Very well." The handsome, spirited knight bowed and was about to withdraw. But as he turned, his eyes fell on Xiao Chen, who was playing with an earring in his hand. Was that not… the Holy Maiden's?

Yulie seemed struck. His body trembled slightly. He took a deep breath and withdrew.

Zhao Lin'er turned back and was immediately enraged. She wished she could leave a few jade finger-marks on Xiao Chen's face. "You bastard!"

For a long time, Xiao Chen had to defend himself. "I picked it up off the floor. Who told you to drop things carelessly?"

"Nonsense! You must have taken it off stealthily just now. You deserve to have your entire clan exterminated for this!"

"This is not the Mortal World anymore."

Once things calmed down, Xiao Chen asked, "Who was that man? His cultivation seems unfathomable."

"Of course. He is the third-strongest younger generation expert of the Solar Religion. And the younger brother of our strongest expert."

"Oh. He is indeed very strong. It seems the cultivation of the Solar Religion's foremost expert is unimaginable."

"Naturally."

At this point, Zhao Lin'er seemed to remember something. "Your situation is dangerous. I think many people are already suspecting your identity. I have received intelligence that the Tiger Clan is heading this way. You had better be careful."

She looked at him suspiciously. "That enormously promising member of the Tiger Clan—the 'Strong Tiger' who had been unable to advance for ten years due to a strange illness—was he really killed by you? We happened to pass by that night. According to the observations of an old Solar Knight, the aura of a young man was left there."

"I killed him." Xiao Chen did not hide it.

"What? You… killed a demigod?" Zhao Lin'er was extremely shocked. She had to reassess Xiao Chen's potential once again. If that was true, even against the specially trained experts of the great religions, he might not necessarily lose.

"Yes." For safety, Xiao Chen did not want to mention Dugu Jianmo and Niu Ren.

"Xiao Chen, you must hide immediately and leave Yin Capital to avoid falling into their hands." There was indeed some concern in her words, but the most important thing was that she did not want Xiao Chen to be recruited away by others. Zhao Lin'er decided to hold on to this promising expert. More importantly, controlling Xiao Chen meant controlling that heaven-defying snow-white little beast.

"Heh heh…" Xiao Chen let out a cold laugh. "I'm afraid many people have already guessed it's me. Why should I run? I am no longer the Xiao Chen of three years ago. If I want to leave, no one can stop me. I still want to watch the experts of the great religions fight. I still want to see just how strong the strongest youth of the Great Shang Empire really is. I even want to find another chance to kill a few tigers. My identities as Xiao Chen and Xiao Shishui—they are the same person—it's time to reveal them."

"You… you lunatic, what exactly are you planning?"

"Naturally, I'm going to stir up a storm! Or rather, to fight a great battle!"